What is an IEP?

Do you think your child needs extra help at school? Are they able to keep pace with their classmates? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, your child may be in need of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). An IEP was created by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Children who are aged 3 to 21 are eligible for an IEP. Your child must be identified as having at least one disability. They must also have the inability to advance effectively in a regular education classroom due to the disability.

Categories of disabilities:

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Emotional- prolonged periods depression; or a tendency to experience physical symptoms due to school or personal problems

Developmentally Delayed- children aged 3-9 whose learning capabilities are severely limited

Communication- receptive and/or expressive languages are severely impaired

Intellectual- limited cognitive development and/or mental retardation

Physical- severe physical impairment, such has Cerebral Palsy(CP), congenital disorders

Sensory- hearing, vision loss and/or both

Specific Learning Disability-in math, reading, writing, such as Dyslexia

Neurological- Traumatic brain injury that can effect the following, social skills, memory, speech and processing information.

Other Health Issue- any other disease and disorder not mention above, such as cancer

The Individualized Education plan process starts with a full evaluation. This evaluation is used to determine if your child qualifies for special education services. There is a meeting held with the parents and/or legal guardian, and the IEP Team (school representative, special education teacher and a person to interpret the implications of the results) to discuss the test results. If your child is deemed eligible, the school is required to design an IEP for your child within thirty days. If your child is found to be not eligible, there is an appeal process used to reject the IEP Team’s decision. Parents can request an independent evaluation with the school system or they can use their personal insurance to get an independent evaluation. After the independent evaluation is finished, parents may approach the IEP team for reconsideration.

There are many factors to be considered when developing your child’s IEP. The child’s disabilities will play a part in planning. Considering your child’s strengths, test results, developmental levels and academic capabilities are important. Once the IEP is written, the team chooses where to place your child. In accordance to the IDEA, schools must educate your child with non-disabled classmates at an appropriate level. There are exceptions to that rule, if the disability is severe and the child will not receive an adequate education inside a regular class, your child will be placed in a special class or school. Generally, IEP’s are reviewed every year. However, a change can be made at anytime by the parents or school personnel.

For more info: contact nichcy.org or wrightslaw.com.